MARIE WUJEK Advertisement

I have lived in Pahrump for the last seven years. Due to my position at the Pahrump Valley Times I have tried to remain behind the lines, so to speak. In other words, out of the limelight.

The reasoning for this is simple: I like my privacy and I appreciate being able to dash into Albertson's for a gallon of milk without detection. That's all different now, as I have changed.

Early in the spring, Kaye, our printing specialist at the Pahrump Valley Times, brought in a book marker we had printed for a young man who lost his wife to melanoma skin cancer the year before. Kaye felt I needed to meet this fellow and hear his story.

This was an expensive print job and he was paying out of his own pocket. He needed to get the word out, he needed to save someone from the horrible fate his wife endured, and he was willing to do this one person at a time.

That's when "Downtown Michael Brown" walked into my life.

Michael plays the sax and sings with the group Sha Na Na. I honestly didn't know who or what Sha Na Na was. I thought it was just a song, you know the one sha, na, na, na, na, na, na.

After meeting with the high spirited Michael Brown and hearing his story, it became apparent to me that this was a message that had to get out -- amandasmessage.com. When Michael left I stood in the doorway of my office and asked Horace, our photographer, if he knew who Sha Na Na was. He gave me one of those "What the hell planet are you from?" looks and started naming members of the group. Then Mark Smith, our editor emerged from his office along with other staff members and, needless to say, I received a great education on Sha Na Na in a short time.

My husband Tom called me shortly thereafter. Just the mention of Sha Na Na brought more history to light. I then told Tom about Michael and what he had gone through with the loss of his beloved wife, how this young man was going to save everyone he could from this dreadful disease.

Tom's response was, "Why don't you try to bring Sha Na Na to Pahrump for a benefit concert?"

An idea was born. A few days later, during my next visit with Michael , we discussed this idea. The little engine that could came out in Michael -- he was going to do this, come hell or high water. What a great way to start his melanoma and skin cancer awareness drive in Pahrump.

A day or two later, while talking with my friend Tesley at the Nugget, I told her the story. She listened to every word, she picked up on my inexperience with this type of promotion, my desire to bring this all together and how important it was to get this message out. Her comment to me was, "Marie, you've got the will, let us help you find the way." She told me to talk with Lori Doller and see what she could do to help.

Lori is top of the line when it comes to promotion of community events. The next day, I nervously approached Lori. I had known her for years, but in a casual sort of way. Within minutes I realized what an essential role Lori would play in this endeavor. Reminiscent of Greyhound: Lleave the driving to us.

Lori, Tony and I toured the event center at the Nugget; I had no idea how big the event center was until they opened it all up for measuring purposes, enabling us to get an idea of just what had to happen to accommodate this type of performance.

Lori and Tony, being the professionals in this equation, were very helpful and excited over the upcoming show. Michael came by to take a look and we spent about an hour talking with the folks in charge of the sound equipment and stage requirements.

We then watched a video of Amanda's story, not a dry eye in the house.

Later that morning we talked with Bingo Jeff and Jack Crane. Tthe compassion shown by the Nugget staff was endearing and honest. Jack asked if one of the members would be interested in dealing a few hands of poker in their new poker room after the concert, we thought that would be a great idea. From what I understand Jocko, one of the drummers and an original member of the group, volunteered, a player at heart.

Local businesses and private sponsorships for this event have been fantastic. Add to that all of you who have purchased tickets to attend the concert and a huge thank you is in order. Not only will you see a wonderful show, you will play an essential role in educating all Nevada residents on the dangers, warning signs and preventative measures to stop melanoma and skin cancer in Nevada.

There are still some great seats available, just stop by the cage at the Pahrump Nugget.

The little town with a big heart never ceases to amaze me.

Pahrump residents rally to the cause, they give all they can and volunteer their time to make Pahrump the best it can be. As the sign entering town says, "Welcome to Pahrump, heart of the new old west."

I'm proud to be here, and you can stop me any time in Albertson's or wherever you see me -- if it's important to you, I want to hear about it.